Friends who know the British jihadist murderer’s identity must speak up

SIR – If the Islamist jihadist who carried out the brutal act of beheading James Foley is British, then his family and friends in Britain must already know his identity.

If they truly want to be part of a peaceful British society then they must declare his identity to the authorities, as should the family and friends of others fighting for Isil.

Brian Higgins Eastbourne, East Sussex

SIR – I am not convinced that the answer to the problem of young Muslim men being converting to the Islamist cause lies with outsiders. These men have been nurtured within a Muslim society in their homes and mosques.

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If Muslim communities abhor the atrocities committed in the name of their religion, why do they not preach hellfire and damnation loudly all over the world so that the jihadist young men have no doubt they are rejected by their own people?

Joyce Chadwick Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

SIR – Over-optimism is always foolish but so is excessive pessimism. The Islamic State has had sweeping recent success. But it is flawed for the long term in three areas.

All successful movements of this kind have had a protector state: the Vietcong, North Vietnam; the Taliban, Pakistan; al-Qaeda, Afghanistan. The Islamic State is surrounded by enemies: Turkey, Kurdistan, Shia Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria. It has no nation-state friends.

It has attracted the weird, sadistic, insane, greedy – all fair-weather friends. How many will stick around when defeat and death become almost guaranteed?

It has stolen Iraqi currency and weapons, but these will run out. It cannot manufacture to replace losses.

It has not yet really met the terrible destructive force and accuracy of Western air power. This can and must be rectified without delay.

Frederick Forsyth Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

SIR – While the West is reluctant to put boots on the ground, will Iran stand and watch if the holiest Shia shrines of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq are attacked by Islamic State fighters? What is our view about Iranian forces occupying Iraq?

Bob Whittington Frant, East Sussex

SIR – Britain 100 years ago faced an avalanche of asylum seekers. More than 200,000 Belgians fled the German army. Many would not have spoken English; many were Catholics. Local councils were encouraged to form committees to find accommodation. In Bristol, a train-load of refugees was welcomed by a crowd.

The people of Syria are an ancient and civilised society, and themselves provided asylum for Christian Armenians in the last century. We should be deeply ashamed if we cannot do as much again for those who flee from tyranny in our time.